5:10pm Tuesday 7th July 2009
By Jon Livesey
A SELECTION of the country’s best cyclists will descend on Colne to take part in the sixth annual Grand Prix.
Organisers expect thousands of local residents and tourists to line the streets to watch the 800 metre circuit around the town centre.
They described the event as the “fastest and most exhilarating” on the Pendle calendar.
And the borough’s tourism champion hailed it as a “boost” to the economy which will put Pendle on the map.
The race, which starts at 7pm on Wednesday July 15, will start and finish outside the library in Market Street.
It is part of British Cycling’s National Circuit Race Series and attracts some of the country’s elite cyclists.
Brian Cookson, Pendle’s regeneration director, who is also president of British Cycling, said he expects to see some “Olympic champions of the future.” Coun Allan Buck who has responsibility for tourism, added: “This fantastic event attracts riders and spectators from across the country and really puts Pendle on the cycling map.
“It brings thousands of people to the town to boost local trade and our tourism economy.”
Professional cyclist and former Barnoldswick builder Ian Wilkinson, who won the race last year, is hoping for a repeat success.
He rides for Halfords Bike Hut team, which has just won the final round of the Tour Series, a 10-race series televised in the run up to the Tour de France.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to Colne Grand Prix. It’s a local event for me and I want a re-run of last year – I want to win it again.”
Pendle’s riders also include Paul Oldham from Trawden, who rides for Hope Technology which makes specialist equipment for bikes.
The event is sponsored by major tourism company Cottages4you, which is based in Earby.
Events including Pendle Pedal on Sunday, August 2 and the Tour of Pendle on Sunday, August 9 will follow the Grand Prix.
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